Carmageddon and Global Congestion

Los Angeles is officially panicked over the weekend-long shut down of a major freeway. The objective is to provide a new high-occupancy vehicle lane. Has LA fallen behind the times, when other cities around the world are waging war on the automobile in the interests of a healthier, more comfortable lifestyle? Also, President Obama implores lawmakers to ‘seize the moment’ on debt talks. On Reporter's Notebook, is it all over for Harry Potter?

Banner image: Traffic flows under the Mulholland Bridge on Interstate 405 one day before it is slated to be demolished during the 11-mile shutdown of Interstate 405 from July 16-18 for 53 hours on July 14, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images